MUMBAI: After executing the free Wi-Fi project at railway stations, RailTel is firming up plans to provide free hi-speed internet for passengers in premium long-distance trains and suburban rakes here.

After 30 minutes usage, the browsing speed will be reduced on mainline and suburban trains.

RailTel is looking at a public-private partnership (PPP) model to implement the project and invited a request for proposal for the project, which includes installation of close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in coaches of long-distance and suburban trains.

A senior RailTel official said, “Provision of Wi-Fi in trains is being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). We aim to roll out the first such rakes, both electrical multiple units for Mumbai suburban and long-distance premium trains, by 2018.” In the first phase, the facility will be in 100 long-distance rakes and all suburban trains. The browsing speed will be 45mbps and above.

He said, “The 100 rakes selected are the most prestigious of Indian Railways, including the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto.”

For Mumbai suburban, the facility can be used simultaneously by around 1,200 persons per rake, while in long-distance trains, it will cater to 600 per rake. Passengers will be able to activate the service via a one-time registration via SMS. He said commuters will be able to access videos on demand, Internet Protocol television (IPTV), games and music.

RailTel has asked the service provider to provide common HD screens for chair cars and double decker chair car trains.

He said, “CCTV surveillance system is a must as it can act as a deterrent and provide evidence of crime, especially in the suburban system, where there have been instances of molestation in compartments reserved for women.” The system will be able to store at least seven days of video feed data from all CCTV cameras and will support remote online monitoring of select cameras on the trains.

The first 10 rakes on the mainline and 30 on the suburban system are expected to roll out the facility within eight months of the contract being awarded. The balance will have the facility gradually and all 100 mainline rakes and all suburban trains will have the features two years after the contract is finalized.”

500 Wi-Fi spots in city from next week

The city will get 500 Wi-Fi spots with 2,000 access points soon. The set-up is ready and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the system next week. Officials said test runs are being conducted and the state will provide up to 100mbps for 30 minutes free; the rates for after 30 minutes are yet to be decided but they will be cheaper than other data providers

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After PSU banks, the government is likely to infuse capital in two chronically ill telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL, and the Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on 4G spectrum allocation to them by the third week of the current month after DoT places the note before it for consideration.

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